With the NBA and the world's top golfers, tennis players and more descending onto Shanghai over the next two months, it's officially the season for the sports fan. Here's what to look out for.
Oct 11-18: Rolex Tennis Masters
As the only ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament held outside of Europe and North America, the Shanghai Rolex Masters features a star-studded draw. Seventeen of the world's top 20 ranked tennis players will take part, including current number one, Novak Djokovic. The Serbian is riding high after winning last month's US Open and will attempt to capture a record third Shanghai title. However, the tournament's defending champion Roger Federer may have something to say about that. (Click here to read our exclusive interview with the timeless Swiss.) Also in the mix is Rafa Nadal and two-time Shanghai champion Andy Murray. Top seeds get a first round draw with the second round kicking off on October 13. There will also be doubles.
// Oct 11-18, 1pm, RMB100-900 (Oct 11-13), RMB160-3,000 (Oct 14-15), RMB280-5,000 (Oct 16), RMB480-8,000 (Oct 17-18), RMB2,000-4,500 (tournament pass). Shanghai Qi Zhong Tennis Center, 5500 Yuanjiang Lu, by Kunyang Lu 元江路5500号, 近昆阳路 (Tickets.)
Oct 14: NBA Global Games Shanghai
The NBA returns to Mercedes-Benz Arena for its 20th preseason game held in Chinese mainland in the past decade. This game pits the star-studded Los Angeles Clippers who are led by point guard Chris Paul, power forward Blake Griffin and new addition Paul Pierce. They'll take on the Michael Jordan-owned Charlotte Hornets, whose new back-up point guard Jeremy Lin remains a folk hero from his Linsanity days. Expect a raucous crowd and an impressive number of guests as the NBA always does its China visits right. See a preview of the game here.
// Oct 14, 7.30pm, RMB360-16,888. Mercedes-Benz Arena, tickets. See event listing.
Oct 17: Aboro Academy Knockout III
Former undefeated women's boxing champion Michelle Aboro has been holding court in Shanghai for the past few years, training amateur fighters at her Aboro Academy. They'll spar for the public in the third edition of this fight night with proceeds going to the Aboro Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to the belief that physical training is an effective means of improving prospects for disadvantaged young people by building character, confidence and self-esteem.
// Oct 17, 2-9pm, RMB80. Anken Life, 2/F, 667 Changhua Lu, by Anyuan Lu 昌化路 667号, 近安远路 (info@aboro-academy.com)
Oct 17&31: Shanghai SIPG home games
The
China Super League return from its holiday break for three more games.
After dropping last month's highly anticipated duel against Guangzhou
Evergrande, Sven and the boys find themelves in the midst of a four-way
battle for the top three spots. While they're sitting two point back of
Guangzhou for the top spot, Shanghai control their destiny barely ahead
of Beijing and Shandong. They'll host Shijiazhuang on October 17 and cap
off their season with an October 31 bout against Liaoning.
// Oct 17, 7.45pm, RMBTBA. Shanghai Stadium.
// Oct 31, 3pm, RMBTBA. Shanghai Stadium.
Oct 17-18: 2015 China Speed Weekend
Volkswagen Group presents the first session of its China Speed Weekend – a Formula Masters China Series designed to provide domestic racing stars experience. Classic cars from Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini and Porsche will be displayed and there will also be a Ducati motorcycle performance.
// Oct 17-18, 11am, RMB48-3,888. Shanghai International Circuit, 2000 Yining Lu 伊宁路2000号, tickets.
Oct 18 & 31: Shanghai Shenhua home games
While they're firmly in the middle of the pack of the China Super League, Shanghai Shenhua still has plenty to play for. They'll close out the season hosting Changchun Yatai on October 18 and Jiangsu Sainty on October 31 at Hongkou Stadium. However, fans will have all their attention on Shanghai's October 21 tilt against Beijing BG with the FA cup still up for grabs.
// Oct 18, 7.45pm, RMBTBA. Hongkou Stadium.
// Oct 31, 3pm, RMBTBA. Hongkou Stadium.
Oct 25 & Nov 1: NFL International Series Games Viewing Parties
The National Football League (NFL) continues its rampant efforts to spread America's most favorite sport abroad. Their efforts in England are starting to pay off, with last month's game between the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets drawing nearly 84,000 to Wembley Stadium. There's a couple more international games on tap with the Buffalo Bills taking on the Jacksonville Jaguars on October 25 and the Detroit Lions battling the the Kansas City Chiefs on November 1. One nice effect of the London start times is that it gives football fans in China a rare chance to watch a live game at night. Several places are planning tailgate viewing parties. Check back for more details.
Oct 30-Nov 1: World Endurance Championship
This race brings the "spirit of Le Mans" to Shanghai. The big race is on Sunday, qualifying heats on Saturday and free practice sessions go down on Friday.
// Oct 30-Nov 1, 10.30am-noon and 3.30-5pm (Fri), 9-11am and 1.30-4pm (Sat), 11am-5pm (Sun), RMBTBA. Shanghai International Circuit, 2000 Yining Lu 伊宁路2000号
Until Oct 31: Rugby World Cup
New Zealand attempts to hold onto one of rugby union's grandest prizes. Games are going all month in England culminating in the October 31 final. Several places across town are showing games, even the ones that start at 3am. For more on when and where to watch the matches, check out the That's Shanghai Guide to the Rugby World Cup.
Oct 31-Nov 1: NFL Home Field
This massive celebration of American football features interactive games, family friendly exercise clinics, exhibition games and a chance to partake in NFL China's national FLAG tournament. It's the final NFL Home Field event before University Bowl VII, which also takes place at Luwan Stadium from November 21-22.
// Oct 31-Nov 1, 10am-7pm, free entry. Luwan Stadium, www.nflchina.com.
Late October: China Basketball Association
China's biggest basketball league tends to announce their season schedule a couple of weeks before it starts, but expect it to be an interesting year. Stephon Marbury and his Beijing Ducks are still basking in the glow of their third championship in four years. However, Yi Jianlian leads perennial contenders Guangdong Southern Tigers as they hope to add a ninth CBA title to the mantle case. Former NBA top pick Greg Oden will attempt to revive his injury-filled career with the Jiangsu Tigers, while the Yao Ming-owned Shanghai Sharks will try to snap their two season playoff drought.
// Shanghai Sharks play at Yuanshen Stadium.
October (All Month): Major League Baseball Playoffs
After wrapping up its grueling 162-game regular season, eight teams remain vying for baseball's top prize. It's an especially exciting post-season with several teams breaking prolonged playoff droughts. In the American League Division series, the suddenly loaded Toronto Blue Jays take on the Texas Rangers, while two recent Cinderella teams Kansas City Royals and Houston Astros will battle to move on. Over in the National League, the consistently good St. Louis Cardinals will try to end the dream season for the youthful Chicago Cubs, while the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers square off armed with two fantastic pitching staffs duelling against each other. Expect plenty of tension and growing animosity in these best-of-seven series.
Nov 3: Shanghai Melbourne Cup Gala
Watch Australia's famed horse race live and in style. The Australian Shanghai Association takes over the stunning Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel, Pudong for family-friendly gala. Enjoy canapes, a three-course meal and free flow drinks while the race is shown on the big screen. There will be a fashions on the field contest for sartorial standouts who rock their style, as well as raffles, sweepstakes and chances to win major prize. After the gala lunch, guests are invited to stay for the famous after-party that goes from 3.30pm to late in the night. Registration begins at 9am.
// Nov 3, 9am-late, RMB1,450 (RMB980 for ASA and AustCham members). Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel, Pudong.
Nov 4-8: HSBC Golf
As golf moves away from the post-Tiger era, a crop of young talents are emerging to shake up the game. While 26-year-old Rory McIlroy remains the world’s top ranked player, he's facing stiff competition from upstarts like 22-year-old Jordan Spieth, who has captured two PGA majors this year, and 26-year-old Rickie Fowler, who won this year's Players Championships. All three will take part in the final World Golf Championship tournament of the year, but will face a tough field that includes seven of the world's top 10 players. Defending champion Bubba Watson will hope to repeat, while last year's runner-up Tim Clark will attempt to avenge his playoff loss. It's not all young'uns though, with established veterans like Sergio Garcia and Adam Scott also competing.
// Nov 4-8, RMB500-1,000 (per day) or RMB2,000-3,500 (weekend pass). Shanghai Sheshan International Golf Club, Lane 288, Linyin Lu, Sheshan National Tourism Resort, by Jiasong Nan Lu 佘山高尔夫郡乡村俱乐部 林荫路288号, 近嘉松南路 (Tickets)
Nov 8: Shanghai Marathon
Last year, 35,000 people took part in this massive marathon. Registration for this year's edition has passed but you can be among the 300,000 people expected to attend and watch. This year's race once again starts at the Bund but has added Xintiandi Taiping Lake to its route before finishing off at Shanghai Stadium.
// Nov 8, 7am, free entry. Race starts by the Fairmont Peace Hotel.
Nov 10-15: BMW Masters
Homegrown stars Wu Ashun and Li-Hao Ting will attempt to be the first local players to capture this prestigious title (and its USD7 million purse). However, they have to overcome a crowded field that includes defending champion Marcus Siem, former US Open winner Graeme McDowell, the people's champion Ian Poulter and 24-year-old prodigy Patrick Reed, who is one of five players to capture three PGA titles at such a young age. Last year's tournament attracted a record 48,000 spectators.
// Nov 10-15, 9am-5pm. Ticket information TBA. Lake Malaren, tickets.
Nov 14: Pac-12 China Game
The NCAA takes over the Mercedes-Benz Arena to host its first ever regular season game played in China. The historic matchup pits the Washington Huskies against the Texas Longhorns. One of the most consistent teams in recent years, Texas has made an appearance in 23 of the last 26 NCAA tournaments, producing current NBA AllStars Kevin Durant (pictured above) and LaMarcus Aldridge. They will battle against the always pesky Washington Huskies that have produced fiery little point guards like current NBA stars Isiah Thomas and Nate Robinson.
// Nov 14, 11am, RMB80-780. Mercedes-Benz Arena, tickets.
Nov 21-22: University Bowl VII
NFL China caps off its NFL Home Field season with this annual tilt pitting the country's best university flag football teams against each other. Expect them to continue their tradition of inviting an NFL legend as a special guest with Hall of Famers Joe Montana and Jerry Rice having the honors the past two years. As always, there will be a variety of interactive games and on-field clinics open to the public, while special treats like the championship Vince Lombardi Trophy will be on display.
// Nov 21-22, 10am-8pm, free entry. Luwan Stadium, www.nflchina.com.
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